HoustonPBS UH Moment: The ‘Chopped and Screwed’ History of Houston Hip-Hop

Houston has
a unique spot in the history of hip-hop. The distinctive “chopped and screwed”
sound originated by the late Houston mix-tape artist Robert Davis Jr., or “DJ
Screw,” in the 1980s and ‘90s is still an influence on musicians of all genres
today. ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons told Texas Monthly in its August 2012
issue that the band has always been inspired by the style of Houston hip-hop,
and it’s the basis of ZZ Top’s latest single “I Gotsta Get Paid.”

“I became fixated with this ‘hypnotic chronicle of the toil of a ghetto
hustler’,” Gibbons told Texas Monthly, “and I was determined to use it as the
basis for something ZZ Top could record.”

Julie Grob, coordinator
for digital projects
and instruction, Special Collections for the University of Houston Libraries,
says ‘chopped and screwed’ is the sound most closely associated with Houston
hip-hop and recognized the importance of archiving this piece of Houston
culture.

“DJ Screw
would slow down all of the music and he would repeat certain beats and words
and phrases,” says Grob. “The style became known as ‘chopped and screwed.’
Other Houston artists began using that style. People started releasing one
album that was regular, and one that was a ‘chopped and screwed’ production.”

Grob has
been instrumental in documenting the history of Houston hip-hop and collecting
the archival pieces that are now part of the Houston Hip-Hop Collection at the
University of Houston Special Collections library. The collection includes
items from DJ Screw and many other artists such as The Geto Boys, Screwed Up
Click, Fat Pat and HAWK.

“We collect
a lot of Houston history, Houston arts and culture, and I felt if we are
collecting Houston— to truly represent it— we should also be collecting Houston
hip-hop,” says Grob. “It’s just so associated with Houston.”

DJ Screw’s
father, Robert Davis Sr., donated the vinyl collection his son used to produce
his famous mix tapes. Other artists, fans and families also donated materials.
The collection includes photos, posters and personal items such as a notebook
from rapper HAWK that includes lyrics, rhyme schemes, personal notes and phone
numbers.

“I think
this collection is something people can come to for research in different
areas—people trying to learn about DJ Screw, people trying to learn about the
genre of chopped and screwed music and Houston hip-hop in general,” says Grob.

“I think rappers are really happy to see their work
preserved, and fans are really happy to see their culture represented in the
library. It really is a way to connect the university to the students and
community around us,” says Grob.